“What is this?”

Lynen was spreading crushed herb paste on Noah’s arms and legs.

It was made from thorned mistletoe.

“If you wear this, it can hide you from harmful energy for half a day. It’s a northern custom.”

Harmful energy meant monsters. But there was no need to be honest with the child and cause unnecessary fear.

Lynen recalled the confession of the sobbing store owner.

“Th-those people were three in total and they all seemed to be from the capital. Their posture and gaze weren’t like country folk. They were just like disciplined soldiers…”

“What did they do in the village?”

“I don’t know that much. Really. I only know they went in and out of that mountain… and this might be nothing but…”

The most important testimony the store owner provided while searching his memories.

“All of them wore brooches or rings with large jewels. I remember because all three had similar colored jewels. It was a strange color, like gray but also blue.”

Artifacts.

Lynen could immediately identify what the accessories were.

Since artifacts operate by drawing in the user’s magical power, the user’s magic grade appears on the magic-engraved seal stone.

Also, the magic grade shown on artifacts is usually close to gray.

That’s because those who lack magical ability tend to use artifacts.

‘If all three from the same organization were wearing artifacts.’

A certain group immediately came to mind.

‘Young Marquis Caiman’s Special Magic Division.’

The Special Magic Division was also a department that regulated illegal magical tool organizations.

That’s why Lynen had known about the Special Magic Division early on. And that they used artifacts rather than pure magical ability.

However, until now, they hadn’t had much presence so he hadn’t paid attention…

‘The Special Magic Division is behind the monster attack incidents. No doubt about it.’

Their hands had reached not only here but all the way to the North.

‘What could their purpose be?’

“…”

“Duke?”

At Noah’s careful call, Lynen quickly broke free from his serious thoughts.

He patted Noah’s head.

“Let’s go back to where Calliphe is.”

Nod!

He looked down at the child while matching his pace to the small, trotting steps.

He’ll need to apply the herb paste regularly. Since that familiar is a wolf, it probably has excellent detection abilities.

‘Wait, a wolf?’

Since this village is still intact, there’s likely evidence left behind by the Special Magic Division.

If he could use the familiar’s excellent detection abilities, couldn’t he also find out what tricks they played in the village?

The plan he had set for one purpose started fitting together like puzzle pieces.

‘I should tell Calliphe right away.’

And since she might jump around like a monkey anywhere, he needs to apply the thorned mistletoe paste on her too.

The kitchen must be a mess by now, so he should clean that up…

‘She said she was making mushroom omelet.’

No, wait. Surely she’s not eating something she made that doesn’t look like proper food right now?

‘She might try to eat it without admitting failure.’

Who is she trying to trouble if she gets an upset stomach? Instead of standing here, I should hurry back.

Just as Lynen’s heart became slightly urgent.

Thud!

It was the sound of Noah falling while trying to keep up with Lynen’s gradually quickening pace.

“Ow.”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Unusually flustered, Lynen quickly helped Noah up and cleaned the wound on his knee.

“Fortunately, it won’t leave a scar.”

“Is it bad if it leaves a scar?”

“Hmm, others might find it scary.”

“…Are scars that can’t be seen okay?”

Noah’s expression became slightly worried at the mention of others being scared.

“Scars that can’t be seen? What do you mean?”

“This.”

Noah immediately lifted his top slightly to show his side.

A white scar etched into the soft side.

Lynen’s eyes widened.

“…How did you get hurt?”

Though he couldn’t tell exactly since it had already healed, it looked like a wound from being stabbed by something sharp.

Noah shook his head.

“I don’t remember because it was long ago.”

Noah lowered his top again to cover the scar.

“I think it happened at the orphanage.”

“…”

Lynen had visited many orphanages searching for his niece, and still continues to do so.

Each time, what Lynen checked for was the scar on the back of the hand.

‘Because that’s the only clue.’

If Noah were the nephew he was looking for…

But the side and back of the hand are completely different parts. When getting injured on the back of the hand, there would be no reason to accidentally get hurt on the side as well.

Lynen shook his head lightly.

“…Anyway, that kind of scar is fine. No one will be scared of it.”

“Okay.”

Noah felt relieved.

Then, suddenly remembering something forgotten, he tugged on Lynen’s sleeve.

“By the way, Lady Calliphe hit the seaweed mister.”

“Was the seaweed mister badly hurt?”

“No. But he got hit like when you get hit!”

“Ah… yes. Like me.”

Then it just meant a pat.

‘…But what reason could there be to pat that person?’

Though he felt strangely unpleasant, Lynen’s expression didn’t change.

Seeing this, Noah furrowed his brows.

“Are you going to just stay still?”

“Hmm?”

“Originally, the Duke should be getting all the hits.”

“…”

What does that mean? To this child, am I someone who always gets hit by Calliphe?

‘…Well, it’s not wrong.’

Noah grumbled sulkily.

“I don’t like others getting hit.”

“…”

Lynen was somewhat touched by those words.

Although the statement “only the Duke should get hit” was strange, the child’s words were fundamentally right.

You shouldn’t hit others carelessly.

‘I was unconsciously treating Calliphe’s violence towards others as trivial.’

After this self-reflection, Lynen lightly patted the child’s head.

“Right. We shouldn’t hit others.”

“Yeah. Otherwise it becomes a love triangle.”

“…?”

Are we having the same conversation here?

“Well, anyway… don’t worry. I’ll tell Calliphe not to do such wrong things again.”

“What?”

“Carelessly assaulting others is wrong, and when you do wrong things, you should be scolded.”

“Lady Calliphe will get scolded? No, that’s not right.”

Noah quickly shook his head.

He hadn’t meant to ask for Lady Calliphe to be scolded. He didn’t even understand what wrong she had done.

Besides, who was the Duke to scold Lady Calliphe? Who would dare do such a thing?

“Lady Calliphe did nothing wrong.”

“No, she did wrong.”

“No!”

Noah raised his voice at Lynen for the first time.

The child’s determined finger pointed straight at Lynen, who was wide-eyed.

“It’s the Duke’s fault!”

“What?”

“Lady Calliphe doesn’t do anything wrong. If Lady Calliphe comes to like someone else, it’s all the Duke’s fault! You should have done better!”

“…!?”

A mother-in-law-like statement that was unbelievable coming from a child’s mouth!

After making Lynen’s head spin, Noah pushed out his lips and ran ahead.

Lynen felt slightly wronged.

Hadn’t they gotten closer today?

‘This is difficult…’

Is this what parenting is like?

‘But wait. What Noah just said.’

What does he mean about Calliphe coming to like someone else?

Suddenly, yesterday’s memory came to mind.

“W-well, I only hit bad people. But I also hit people I like.”

“Why hit them if you like them?”

“Because that’s my… way of showing affection?”

Now he understood. Lynen held his forehead.

“So the reason he tattled to me about Calliphe hitting the cleric…”

He must have been surprised thinking she was showing affection to the cleric.

Since he said she hit the cleric the same way she hits me.

‘…Did they seem close?’

I’m not particularly close with Calliphe, but anyway, that’s how it must have looked to the child. Enough to be surprised and tattle about it.

The more I think about it, the more absurd it is?

‘Hitting someone else? Instead of me?’

This wasn’t a thought clouded by emotion. It was an objective criticism.

‘Calliphe’s fiancé is not someone else but me.’

Even if it’s a contract engagement, she shouldn’t act in ways that could cause misunderstandings.

Above all, Lynen himself is a duke, and Calliphe is competing for the position of next head of house.

They should both be careful not to create scandals.

“…”

‘Good. There are reasonable grounds to address this issue.’

His expression, which had been confused, returned to its original cool and clean state as he quickened his pace.

‘She should hit only me, not others.’

He remained unaware that he had already strayed far from cool logic.